Tottenham must keep an eye on Alfie Devine and Ashley Phillips after what happened this week
It has been a turbulent few days for Plymouth Argyle, which means it has been a turbulent few days for Tottenham loanees Alfie Devine and Ashley Phillips.
Phillips and Devine have been playing their football in the Championship with Plymouth since January.
While both players have been getting regular minutes, with Phillips in particular standing out, their temporary club have been struggling results-wise.
The Pilgrims are without a win in six, and as a result of their poor form, manager Ian Foster was sacked after just three months in charge on Monday (via BBC Sport, 1 April), following a 1-0 home defeat to Bristol City that afternoon.
Foster was a former manager of the England Under-20s and had worked previously with Devine, while a player like Phillips would have most certainly been on his radar.
That connection would have helped both players’ chances of featuring regularly, and Ange Postecoglou must now keep a close eye on what happens to the Tottenham Under-21 duo between now and the end of the season.
Alfie Devine and Ashley Phillips must demonstrate their mental strength to Tottenham
With Foster gone and a new manager set to takeover, there is no guarantee that either Devine or Phillips will be part of Plymouth’s plans.
Devine in particular is at threat of being axed after he was sent off against the Robins on Monday, which follows a run of underwhelming performances.
Plymouth are just one point above the drop zone in the Championship, and their form will need to improve quickly if they are to remain in the division.
This is a chance for both Devine and Phillips to really demonstrate to Tottenham what they are made of as they get set for a relegation scrap.
After such a positive time with Port Vale, Devine will be keen to find his feet again, while for Phillips it will be about building on his impressive displays at Home Park and keeping his place in the team under the new regime.
Both players have different points to prove, and they will be keen to prove those points ahead of next season, with Postecoglou sure to be watching on.
In other Tottenham news, the club have been backed to sign a new goalkeeper after what happened to one senior star in North London.
For more Tottenham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.